VOYAGE TO ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST REMOTE ISLANDS: TRAVEL COMPANY OFFERS LAST CHANCE TO TAKE ICONIC ROYAL MAIL SHIP TO ST HELENA… BEFORE IT GETS ITS OWN AIRPORT ^∧

by Emily Payne, Mail Online, 19^th February 2015{3}

Almost identical articles also appeared in the UK Daily Telegraph, Singapore News and on lovemytrips.com, www.veryinternationalpeople.com, skymeteor.com andenglishnews.info!

• Tropical British Territory, St Helena, is situated 1,200 miles away from Angola, in middle of the South Atlantic sea
• For decades, the only way to reach the fascinating island has been a five-night journey onboard the RMS St Helena
• With a new airport scheduled to open in February 2016, this year is the last chance tourists can take the iconic trip

Over 1,200 miles from Angola, its nearest landmass, St Helena is one of the world’s most remote islands.

Currently, the only way to get to the South Atlantic British Overseas Territory is a five-night voyage aboard the RMS St Helena, a 155-berth passenger ship and cargo carrier, and one of the last ocean-going vessels still to carry the title.

But all this will change next February, when an airport is scheduled to open, and flights will commence from South Africa and the UK.

A travel company is offering tourists the chance to set sail on the St Helena before she is retired, and visitors to the island will arrive by air

So a travel company is offering those with an adventurous spirit - and sturdy sea legs - the chance to set sail on the St Helena before she is retired.

The return sailing from Cape Town, a journey of 1,200 miles, takes five nights each way, with the voyage being as much a part of the St Helena experience as exploration of the island. As it is likely that some St Helenians will be on board, tourists will have the chance to learn about the fascinating atoll{14} before arriving.

St Helena - which is just ten miles long - is home to remote and unspoilt wilderness and enjoys mild temperatures between 20-27°C.

Britain’s second oldest remaining of the British Overseas Territories, after Bermuda, it has a population of just 4,255.

Red-roofed houses in upper Jamestown. The climate of the island is mild with temperatures staying between 20 and 27°C throughout the year

Discovered in 1502, the island was stopover for ships sailing to Europe from Asia and South Africa, and Napoleon was imprisoned there by the British. Longwood House was Napoleon’s home during the last years of his life and is now a museum.

The 20-day tour offered by Discover the World also includes a unique hosted farm stay in a former East India Company plantation owner’s home and offers plenty of opportunity to enjoy the island’s scenery and historic sites by car. Also included is a 4WD guided tour of the island’s less accessible areas and a wildlife cruise.

Managing Director, Clive Stacey, said: “There are so few places left on the planet that enjoy the veneers of modern civilization but yet are so unaffected by the stresses these can produce. Although this is fascinating to observe it is not in itself a reason to undertake the long sea journey but combine this with the spectacular vistas and unique and friendly society, soon to be thrust into the modern world with the airport opening, then a trip to St Helena should be at the top of any bucket list.”

Island life: Saint Helena is Britain’s second oldest remaining of the British Overseas Territories, after Bermuda

TRAVEL FACTS

The 20-night holiday on set departure dates is available from now through to March 2016 from £3,619pp (two sharing) including 10 nights on the RMS St Helena (full board), two nights in Cape Town, eight nights’ hotel accommodation on St Helena with breakfast, six days car rental, half-day wildlife cruise and a 4WD excursion.

Discover the World

Discover the World’s 20-day itinerary offers a hosted farm stay and taking in the island’s unique wildlife, scenery and historic sites

High Knoll fort, just south of historic lower Jamestown. The island’s first airport is scheduled to open in February 2016

The colourful houses of Jamestown. Discovered in 1502, St Helena was a stopover for ships sailing to Europe from Asia and South Africa

The island is soon to be thrust into the modern world with the airport opening, so a trip to St Helena should be at the top of any bucket list

The St Helena is a 155-berth passenger liner and cargo carrier and one of the last ocean-going vessels to carry the RMS title

Adventurous travellers can take the return sailing from Cape Town, a journey of 1,200 miles, takes five nights each way

The once-in-a-lifetime trip includes a guided tour of the island’s less accessible areas and a wildlife cruise

Authentic: Visitors can stay in a former plantation owner’s home as part of the fascinating trip

Longwood House, Napoleon Bonaparte’s former home is now open to the public as a museum

See also: Visitor Information • RMS St Helena